Crayon-holder



E. H. TAYLOR.

(No Mpdel.)

GRAYON HOLDER.

No. 576,629. Patented Feb. 9, 1897.

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EUGENE II. TAYLOR, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

CRAYON-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 576,629, dated February 9, 1897. Application filed May 91 1896. Serial No. 590,856. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE H. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements. in Crayon-Holders, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention has for its object to provide an improved holder for crayons.

The invention is fully set forth in the fol lowing description, and the novel features thereof are pointed out and clearly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the said description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which' Figure l a perspective of aholder embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a lengthwise section of a holder embodying my invention, showing a crayon in position in the holder, the said crayon being cylindrical in shape and of equal diameter throughout its length. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a crayon in position which is tapering in shape, being larger in diameter at one end than at the other. Fig. 4: is a section on line 4 at, Fig. 1.

In the use of crayons, especially such as are employed for marking on blackboards and the like, it is desirable to prevent, so far as possible, the waste resulting from breakage, which is ordinarily relatively very great. It is also desirable to avoid soiling the fingers, which results when the crayon comes in direct contact therewith. By the employment of my invention the waste resulting from breakage may be reduced to a minimum and the crayon may be used in marking without bringing it into contact with the fingers. The device is simple and consists of a body portionAof any desired form, but preferably cylindrical in shape, and having an aperture B lengthwise thereof and extending from end to end of the body portion, the said aperture corresponding, preferably in cross-sectional shape,with the cross-sectional shape of the crayon, that is to say, if the crayon is circular in crosssection the aperture in the holder is preferably circular in cross-section. At one end the holder is preferably tapered, as shown at 2, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and the tapered end is designed to be the point of the holder or the end from which the point of the crayon projects. In the body A of the holder I form a series of longitudinal cuts 3, which extend from each end thereof to a point beyond the middle portion thereof. The cuts at one end of the body A alternate with those atthe other end thereof and overlap or extend past the latter at the middle of said body, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. The aperture B, which receives the crayon, should be slightly less in diameter when the holder is empty than the diameter of the crayon which is to be placed therein. The longitudinal cuts 3 permit the holder to expand throughout the entire length thereof, the amount of expansion possible in the middle portion of the holder depending upon the extent to which the alternate cuts 3 overlap or extend past each other. The holder is formed preferably from wood, but any suitable material may be employed. I prefer Wood because it is sufficiently yielding and springy and is light, inexpensive, and easily worked. When the crayon is forced into the holder, the latter expands somewhat to receive it, and the holder will then grip the crayon and hold it firmly in place. If for any reason it is desired to increase the grip of the holder on the crayon, this may be readily effected by placing elastic or other compressing bands in the annular grooves 5 on the exterior of the body A. These grooves 5'serve to prevent the elastic bands from becoming displaced, as also to indicate where the bands should be placed to be most effective, but I do not consider them essential, as bands of rubber may be employed to compress the holder and will'operate effectually without the annular grooves 5. Ordinarily no compressing-bands are necessary.

I do not consider it essential that the point of the holder should be tapered or thinned down, as shown at 2, although such a con struction is desirable and convenient and permits the user to see the projecting point of the crayon even if the said point be short, and it further permits a shorter piece of crayon to be used as efiectively as a longer piece might be, thus permitting a stick of crayon to be almost entirely used andreducing the wastage.

If it is desired to use a tapering crayon, my holder will adjust itself equally well to a crayon of that form without change in the form or proportions of the aperture B or of the body A, provided the average diameter of the tapering crayon be substantially the same as the diameter of the parallel-sided crayon for which the holder is adapted.

As Will be obvious, the number of longitudinal cuts 3 and the Width and length of the said cuts may be varied Without departing from the essential features of my invention.

The crayon should be inserted in the holder at that end thereof which is opposite the point or tapering end, and as the crayon is worn down in use it may be readily shoved forward with a lead-pencil or the like.

hat I claim is 1. A crayon-holder comprising a body portion having an aperture lengthwise thereof to receive the crayon and having longitudinal cuts extending from each end thereof to a point beyond the middle portion of the said body, the said cuts at one en d alternating with those at the other end, substantially as set forth.

2. A crayon-holder comprisin g a body portion having an aperture lengthwise thereof to receive a crayon and having longitudinal cuts extending from each end thereof to a point beyond the middle portion of said body the said cuts at one end alternating with those at the other end and one or more exterior annular grooves for the purposes and substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

EUGENE II. TAYLOR.

Witnesses:

WM. A. MAcLEoD, ALICE H. MoRRIsoN. 

